Monday Notes for Women over 60
Happy Monday, everyone! Welcome to my Monday Notes for Women over 60.
Today’s Monday Notes for Women over 60 finds me a little out of it…major exhausted.
I have not slept well for seven days…many reasons for it…and today it caught up with me…but I still wanted to be true to my word and pen this post.
It is that busy time of year and Mr,B was traveling for several days…I do not sleep well alone and I am so glad that I have Tux with me.
Then I stayed overnight with my three grandsons and did not sleep well there either…so it is piling up a little.
We also have experienced some very cold weather which caught me off guard and the thermostat was not where it should have been for very cold nights.
I am finished whining…so let’s look over my notes for women on this lovely December day. I might have some ideas for you!
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
In my first photo today, I was about to head out to do some shopping.
I do put a great amount of thought and creativity into the stockings for my grandchildren and I was looking for ideas at a local antique shop.
First, these fashionable figurines caught my eye. Particularly, the black ensemble…isn’t she chic. But, I walked on by attempting to keep grandchildren in mind.
The store had so many beautiful pieces, but just before this gorgeous chair, I found a box full of miniature Madame Alexander dolls.
Did anyone else love this brand? I owned several Madame Alexander dolls and they were my favorites.
These miniature dolls were only $5 each, so I selected three for one of my granddaughter’s stockings.
NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: You do not always have to do what is expected in a Christmas stocking…in fact the unexpected is so much fun and reflects you really know what the child would like.
For two seven-year-old grandsons, I found at this store some incredible unique nutcrackers.
So for one, I purchased a karate kid nutcracker for the stocking and for the other a soldier nutcracker for the stocking.
I also found four books that were perfect for the kids.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: OUT-OF-TOWNERS
I gave great thought to what to do for some of my out of town family and friends.
Here is an idea that some of you may like.
NOTES TO WOMEN OVER 60: Create a Christmas Basket of goodies from your best local retailers
Mr. B had delivered this culinary basket himself so I did not have to worry about shipping it.
My desire was to highlight some of the talented small businesses in Abilene for my friends.
This basket contained specialty Extra Virgin Olive Oils, balsamic vinegars, marinated olives, Santa Salt (!), specialty blend of apple cider tea…all from Cordelle’s.
In the middle is a hand-poured soy candle from Abilene Candle Company.
I hope the recipient likes this…I know the products are exceptional…though I have not personally tried Santa Salt, but it did intrigue me.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: FROM MY DIET
I am excited to report that as of last Friday, I was down another two pounds …so that is 15 pounds.
But I may have hindered that over the weekend…when I am tired, I do not eat well.
When I am busy, a few of the HEALTHY CHOICE SIMPLY meals have really helped. This one is only 2 points in my Weight Watchers App.
I always add some additional seasoning, and get a little creative with these.
So two ounces of this Barilla Protein + Angel Hair pasta is only 5 points.
I cook the pasta…sautee chopped onion and garlic in a little olive oil…mix in the pasta with a dash of dried basil and garlic salt…and then mix with the cooked Simply Meal…which also has a bit of a sauce in it.
That is a pasta meal for 8 points that I have eaten more than once recently because it tastes so good.
There are about five of these simply meals that I am enjoying.
NOTES TO WOMEN OVER 60 ON A DIET: Keep your flavors mixed and interesting. Believe me, it helps you to stay on the diet and adding seasons does not add points.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: FROM AUDREY
This week, I was so pleased to hear from one of the followers here…Audrey.
Her Christmas Moose is a tradition in their home…and he did put a big smile on my face!
Thank you for sharing your moose with us Audrey…and remember if anyone else would like to share a decoration…it is not too late…just email me at [email protected].
And thanks to everyone else for joining in today for Monday notes for women over 60…leave any thoughts you may have.
Now, I am headed off to get some much needed R & R…I hope to see you tomorrow…until then…
CHOOSE JOY & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog. It means the world.
Ah, a Madame Alexander doll! I always wanted one but did not get one. You are lucky to have gotten several. I appreciate the tip on the protein pasta with the Healthy Choice stir fry. I am seeing my nutritionist today and I have lost no weight, but have gained none so it’s not all bad. I’ve not been a very good student…my nutritionist is a former student of mine so the tables are now reversed! But she’s patient with me as I hope I was with her! LOL! This time of year is a struggle for most anyone with the food temptations of the season. I’m happy for you that you’ve lost some pounds. I plan to do better.
You look radiant despite your lack of sleep. I can empathize. I had dental work on Monday & cannot take anything to soften the pain afterward so I had no sleep at all that night. On Wednesday I came down with a nasty cold. I’ve had to try to sleep sitting up since then so get very little sleep. I do not look radiant but I try to dress nicely and not complain about it but I am tired all day long. I think its great that you find unexpected items for your grandchildren’s stockings. It must be so fun for them to have their interests expanded by their Gigi. My younger sister had the Little Women set of Madame Alexander dolls. I had a Ginny doll and a couple of the knock off dolls that came in a box of laundry detergent, does anyone remember when toys came boxes of laundry soap? Audrey’s moose put a smile on my face. I have a couple of them and we call one Chris Moose. Congratulations on your continued weight loss progress. And it shows.
Stop, rest and do a little self care. We worry so much about having everything perfect for our loved ones. It won’t be perfect if you’re sick and can’t enjoy the holidays, too. We will all understand a day off.❤️
Eating with the app has really changed my eating, Celia. I do not eat after about 4…and am not hungry then. I also am eating smaller amounts and less sugar. And it has not been difficult at all. I do lose more when I am more active, but believe I am achieving a balance I want to have. Keep at it…
Also, my dad bought me those dolls, however, oversaw a tense and stressful household. I think I would rather have had a better family life with no fancy dolls.
Thanks so much, Kathie. I do hope you are feeling better now. I slept well last night, but it may take a few of those nights to get me back to feeling strong again. Thank goodness I have a good concealer for my dark circles!
Thanks Merri! Between now and Christmas, there may be one or two days off…we will see.
Two of us named Merri….what are the odds?? Pamela, I hope you get to feeling better soon. I love your stocking ideas – so fun! Hope you get to feeling better and have a Merry Christmas!!
I live in Aledo, TX. You make the shops in Abilene sound so fun, I am going to have to make a day trip to visit. I will have to make a list, so I don’t forget any that I want to see. I have been to Abilene before and visited the book museum and a candy shop that had wonderful frozen frosted grapes. That was a long time ago and I am going to come again!
Yes, come visit Becky! If you need help with your list, let me know…I am happy to be a tour guide for you!
Pam, you looked great in your outfit, I really like the scarf with your top. The uplighting on the tree really makes the decorations sparkle.
A word about our Christmas moose. My husband was shopping with me and while I was looking at sweaters, he found the moose on a table of decorations. Of course, he came home with us, we lived on Marvin Road at the time, his name is Marvin.
Trust you get some needed R&R.
Your idea of putting a gift bag or basket together from local markets is something I have already done. The area where I live is a vacation getaway place and it is known for cherry orchards so cherry jam, salsa and other things I put together for my family that live in Texas and Minneapolis.
Congratulations on the weight loss!! And thank you for the ideas going forward.
Get some sleep!
Love your moose, Audrey and so glad you shared!
Great minds think alike…right? I had a cherry cobbler recently that was amazing, so right now I am really into cherry! Hopefully, after a few nights like last night I will be caught up and ready for Christmas week!
I have done the local products and produce many times for gifts. it’s fun to share the bounty of our local producers with friends and family. We also did it as welcome baskets for family staying at a hotel at our wedding. We lived in San Francisco at the time and all kinds of little things from SF, even a little cable car ornament. They were totally well received. It’s such a neat idea to share.
I love the little cable car in yours, Kathleen…how much fun is that!
Another Becky here, but I am from Indiana. Lack of sleep is very draining, so I hope you are able to get some more rest soon. I never sleep well when I am away from home. The fashionable ladies you featured are lovely. I like that you buy interesting stocking stuffers for your grands. I’m the granddaughters will love those Madame Alexander dolls.
thank you for the meal suggestion. I put it on the grocery list to try. I will have to remove the pepper and onions as I just can’t eat them anymore. But the flavor will be in them. My little 5 person birthday party was a success. The girl chatted while the guys watched the Broncos game. We had cake and cashew milk ice cream and good company. My husband gave me a lovely little sterling silver pendant that looks exactly like your dog and mine. I love it! We already got our sofa that is our Christmas gift to each other this year. So all of the busy is over now for us and we can start to recover. Get some rest dear friend. Take the days off that you need with your family. We all understand.
So happy to have you here, Becky!
Sounds like it was a wonderful party. So glad your birthday was special.